Gay sex is not a crime: Indian court overturns British colonial law that labelled homosexuality 'unnatural'

An Indian court has overruled a British colonial-era ban on gay sex to rule that it is not a crime.

The current law bans 'sex against the order of nature', and is widely interpreted to mean homosexual sex in India.

In a country where public hugging and kissing even among heterosexuals invites lewd remarks and sometimes beatings, gay sex has been a taboo, leaving the government unsure how conservative Indians would react if the law was repealed.

Gay rights activists celebrate outside the High Court in New Delhi today after the court ruled that gay sex is not a crime

The Delhi High Court's ruling that homosexual sex among consenting adults is not a crime is expected to boost the pro-gay lobby slamming the British-era law as a violation of human rights.

Gay rights activists hailed the court verdict as historic and many supporters of homosexuality were seen celebrating with sweets and smearing each other with vermilion.

'We have finally entered into the 21st century,' said Anjali Gopalan, leader of Naz Foundation, a leading health and gay rights lobby.

The ruling applies to all of India, but can be appealed at the Supreme Court.

Gay rights activists also argue the law, framed in 1861, was an impediment in fighting against HIV/Aids because many homosexuals refuse to come out in the open fearing harassment by authorities.

'Consensual sex amongst adults is legal which includes even gay sex and sex among the same sexes,' said a two-judge bench of the court.

The verdict said the current law will apply in the event of sex without consent.

Petitions to change the 1861 law have so far been firmly rejected by the government but there has been some softening up on the stand in recent years, with officials saying the possibility of revoking the ban was being discussed.

Today's court verdict came after nine years of legal proceedings initiated by India's gay groups.

Under the current law, homosexual sex is punishable by up to 10 years in jail.